After President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling "the ownership and control of Greenland" an "absolute necessity," Greenland's prime minister let him know in no uncertain terms that it wouldn't be happening.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, alongside the Faroe Islands, the only other autonomous territory within the Kingdom. Citizens of both Greenland and the Faroe Islands are full citizens of Denmark. As one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, Greenland’s citizens are also recognized as EU citizens.
Although geographically part of the North American continent, Greenland has maintained strong political and cultural ties to Europe—specifically to Norway and Denmark, its historical colonial powers—for over a millennium.
The United States has long recognized Greenland's strategic importance. In 1946, the U.S. even proposed purchasing Greenland from Denmark, offering $100 million in gold as part of the deal. Of course, that never panned out and the U.S. has no claim to Greenland in any way, shape, or form—regardless of what Trump might think.
Yet Trump nonetheless took to his social media platform to make remarks regarding the "ownership and control" of the island while announcing Ken Howery, co-founder of PayPal and Trump’s former ambassador to Sweden, as his choice for ambassador to Denmark:
"I am pleased to announce Ken Howery as my choice for United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. Ken is a World renowned entrepreneur, investor, and public servant, who served our Nation brilliantly during my First Term as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, where he led efforts to increase Defense, Security, and Economic Cooperation between our countries."
"As a Co-Founder of PayPal and venture capital fund, Founders Fund, Ken turned American Innovation and Tech leadership into Global success stories, and that experience will be invaluable in representing us abroad."
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States.”
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Not long afterward, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said the following in a written comment that rebuked Trump's suggestion:
"Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom."
Trump was harshly criticized.
Trump didn't stop at Greenland during his speech—he also claimed the U.S. should get involved in Panama's affairs as well.
Trump said that his new administration might pursue efforts to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, which he described as having been “foolishly” handed over to Panama. He criticized the “ridiculous” fees imposed on shippers using the crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Panama’s conservative president, José Raúl Mulino unequivocally rejected the suggestion, labeling it an insult to his country’s sovereignty. Mulino said that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country.
